“Duck Dynasty” patriarch on show hiatus after remarks
“Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson is off the hit A&E reality series indefinitely after disparaging gays as sinners akin to adulterers and swindlers, the network said.
A&E announced Wednesday what it called a “hiatus” for Robertson, 67, after he disparaged gays in the January edition of GQ magazine. He also said that, growing up in Louisiana before the Civil Rights movement, he never saw mistreatment of blacks.
In a statement, A&E said it was extremely disappointed to see Robertson’s anti-gay remarks, which it said were based on his personal beliefs and do not reflect those of A&E Networks or the show. A&E called itself a supporter of the lesbian and gay community.
Robertson and his extended family became wealthy manufacturing duck calls and were turned into TV and pop culture stars by “Duck Dynasty,” which has set cable ratings records for a nonfiction series. Several family members appeared in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.
In his GQ interview, Robertson was asked his definition of sinful behavior.
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there,” such as bestiality, he said.
“Don’t be deceived,” he was quoted in GQ. “Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers – they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
Robertson and his family had no comment on his hiatus. He may be in some already taped scenes when the show returns Jan. 15 for its fifth season, a network spokesman said.
Perry takes role in Fincher film
Tyler Perry writes, directs, stars in and produces his own movies and TV shows, so he doesn’t have much time for outside projects. One he’s glad he made work is a role in director David Fincher’s upcoming film, “Gone Girl.”
Based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl” is the story of a man who comes under suspicion in the disappearance of his wife. The movie, scheduled for release next October, stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
“Gone Girl” is “the most educational, awe-inspiring thing that I’ve ever done,” Perry said in a recent interview.
“Sitting in his presence, in his genius, the man is a genius,” he said of Fincher. “It really makes me go, ‘Whoa, let me just stop and take this in,’ so it’s been wonderful.”
Perry plays Madea, a big and boisterous grandmother he’s made popular in previous movies, in “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas,” now in theaters.
The birthday bunch
Actress Cicely Tyson is 79. Singer Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire is 72. Actor Tim Reid is 69. Musician John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is 68. Country singer Janie Fricke is 66. Actor Mike Lookinland (“The Brady Bunch”) is 53. Actress Jennifer Beals is 50. Actress Alyssa Milano is 41. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is 33.